John Edwards-Iowa Campaign Organization

John Edwards-Campaign Organization, Iowa

Edwards for President, Inc.

On January 2, 2003, Sen. Edwards announced formation of a presidential exploratory committee. Edwards for President, Inc. is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Nick Baldick, a former top Gore operative, is the campaign manager. Edwards for President, Inc. Iowa Leadership
Campaign Headquarters: 1109 Grand Ave, Des Moines (moved in May 31-June 1, 2003)
Note: The campaign had its initial Iowa headquarters in the Griffin Building (319 7th Street, 4th Floor, Des Moines) for three months starting on March 1, 2003.

Caucus Director

Rob Berntsen

(announced Jan. 29, 2003, started Feb. 14, 2003) Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Chet Culver, Berntsen previously served as Director of the Business Services Division in Culver's office. He gained his law degree with distinction at University of Iowa College of Law in 1998. Prior to that, he worked in Washington, DC for three years, after graduating from Georgetown University (1992). He is a native of Marion, Iowa.

Political Director

Aaron Pickrell

(announced Jan. 29, 2003) Chief of Staff to Rep. Leonard Boswell for two years prior to joining the campaign. Pickrell has held a range of jobs in Iowa politics since graduating from Iowa State University in 1994. His experience includes field staff/office manager for Nagle for Congress in Waterloo, Jan.-May 1995; deputy director of operations for the Iowa Democratic Party, 1995-96; finance director/deputy campaign manager for Boswell's re-election campaign, 1997-98; finance director for Vilsack/Pederson Inaugural Committee, 1999, and a stint at Kieloch Consulting in Washington, DC, before taking the position with Boswell.

Field Director

Jennifer O'Malley

(announced March 25, 2003) In 2002 O'Malley served as field director for the South Dakota Democratic Coordinated Campaign, then as field director for Sen. Mary Landrieu's runoff campaign. In 2001 she was campaign manager for St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. During the 2000 general election, she was regional field director for the Missouri coordinated campaign in the St. Louis Metro area. She was volunteer coordinator for Gore in the 2000 NH primary, then worked as a field organizer in New York and Pennsylvania. O'Malley is a 1998 graduate of Tufts University and hails from Jamaica Plains, Massachusetts.

Deputy Field Director

Joanne Solazzo

(announced at Central Region Field Director on May 1, 2003) Deputy field director for the South Dakota Democratic Coordinated Campaign during Sen. Tim Johnson's 2002 re-election campaign, then deputy field director for the Louisiana Democratic Coordinated Campaign during Sen. Mary Landrieu's 2002 run-off campaign.

Regional Field Directors (announced May 1, 2003^*)
* Except Bill Hyers, who came on a bit later; he took over the counties covered by Joanne Solazzo, who became deputy field director

Western Woodbury, Pottawattamie, Buena Vista, Carroll, Lyon, Sioux, Plymouth, Monona, Harrison, Mills, Fremont, Osceola, O'Brien, Cherokee, Ida, Crawford, Shelby, Cass, Montgomery, Page, Adams, Taylor, Ringgold, Union, Adair, Audubon, Guthrie, Sac, Clay, and Dickinson counties. (30 counties--all of the 5th CD except Clarke and Decatur counties)	Kara Cody Previously a field organizer for the Iowa Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign. Degree in political theory from Catholic University of America.

Southeastern Scott, Clinton, Wapello, Lee, Des Moines, Muscatine, Louisa, Washington, Keokuk, Mahaska, Monroe, Jefferson, Henry, Appanoose, Davis and Van Buren counties.	Oliver Gottfried A regional field director for the South Dakota Democratic Party during Sen. Tim Johnson's 2002 re-election campaign. Worked for Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, Inc., in Washington, DC. B.A. in history from Haverford College.

North Central Black Hawk, Webster, Cerro Gordo, Kossuth, Emmet, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Calhoun, Winnebago, Hancock, Wright, Hamilton, Worth, Franklin, Hardin, Mitchell, Floyd, Butler, Grundy, Howard, Chickasaw, and Bremer counties.	Jackie Lee Worked for the Louisiana Democratic Party during Sen. Mary Landrieu's 2002 run-off campaign. Managed a field office for the South Dakota Democratic Party during Sen. Tim Johnson's 2002 re-election campaign. B.A. in international relations from University of Delaware.

Central Polk, Story, Warren, Jasper, Marshall, Green, Boone, Dallas, Madison, Marion, Clarke, Lucas, Decatur, and Wayne counties.	Bill Hyers A Minnesota native, Hyers served as state field director for the Judi Dutcher for Governor primary campaign and then as regional director for the Minnesota State House DFL Caucus in the 2002 cycle. He has also worked on a number of local campaigns in Duluth and Minneapolis since 2001. Hyers has a BA in political science from St. Cloud State University in MN.

Eastern Linn, Dubuque, Johnson, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette, Clayton, Buchanan, Delaware, Tama, Benton, Jones, Jackson, Poweshiek, Iowa, and Cedar counties.	Mitchell Stewart A regional field director for the Louisiana Democratic Party during Sen. Mary Landrieu's 2002 run-off campaign. A regional field director for the South Dakota Democratic Party during Sen. Tim Johnson's 2002 re-election campaign. Has also served as a research assistant and staff assistant in Johnson's Senate office.

F I E L D O F F I C E S
On August 4, 2003 the campaign announced locations of 13 field offices in addition to the Des Moines office:

W E S T E R N
Sioux City -- 514 Nebraska Street
Western Regional Field Director: Kara Cody
Joey Wender

Council Bluffs -- 711 South Main Street
Pat Maloney

Carroll -- 107 East 6th Street, Suite A
Bill Petty
...

N O R TH C E N T R A L
Waterloo -- 626 Sycamore Street
North Central Regional Field Director: Jackie Lee

Fort Dodge --1031 Central Avenue
Morgan Smith

Mason City -- 9 2nd Avenue, NW
Andrew Hayhurst
...

C E N T R A L
Des Moines
Central Regional Field Director: Bill Hyers
Bo Berntsen (Polk)
Jesse Harris (Warren)

Ames -- 120 Kellogg Avenue
Jessie Bradley (Greene, Boone, Story)
...

E A S T E R N
Cedar Rapids -- 1056 5th Avenue, SE
Eastern Regional Field Director: Mitch Stewart
Natalie Botsch

Iowa City -- 257 Old Capitol Town Center
Marc McCullough

Dubuque -- 1592 Central Avenue
Matt Lydon
...

S O U T H E A S T E R N
Davenport -- 314 Main Street
Southeastern Regional Field Director: Oliver Gottfried
Mike Edwards

Burlington -- 419 Jefferson Street
David Cooling

Ottumwa --529 W. Main Street
Jill Allen
...
PHOTOS

Policy Director

Brad Anderson

(announced June 5, 2003) Research director for Sen. Tom Harkin's 2002 re-election campaign. Senior research associate at the DNC during the 2000 presidential election. Researcher on Edwards' 1998 Senate campaign.

Press Secretary

Kim Rubey

(started mid-March 2003) Prior to starting as Edwards' Iowa press secretary, Rubey was press secretary for the DCCC. In 2000, she served as Midwest communications director for the Gore campaign. A native of Oklahoma, Rubey graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in American Government.

Deputy Press Secretary

Patrick Dillon

(announced July 1, 2003) Most recently Dillon served as political director for Congressman Leonard Boswell (IA-3). In the 2002 cycle, he served as communications director for the Boswell campaign after working as deputy political director at Edwards' New American Optimists PAC. Dillon also worked on Mark Warner's successful gubernatorial race in Virginia in 2001.

Database Manager/IT

Andy Golodny

Office Manager

Nate Valin

An Iowa native, Valin worked as a field organizer for the Iowa Democratic Party's coordinated campaign in 2002.

Senior Advisor to the Iowa Campaign

Peter Giangreco

(announced Jan. 29, 2003) Partner in The Strategy Group's Chicago office; he joined the firm in Fall 1989. Giangreco got his start in politics as an 18-year old when he left university to work on Gary Hart's 1984 presidential campaign; he worked on the field staff in six states. [Giangreco did go on to finish his bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan in 1987]. This will be the sixth presidential campaign he has worked on. More recently he served as direct mail consultant to Mark Warner's 2001 gubernatorial campaign.

Labor Liaison

Russ Vonk

(announced May 6, 2003) A letter carrier for 15 years, Vonk served as president of NALC Local 352 for six years. He is 3rd CD Rep. for the Iowa Association of Letter Carriers and is an executive board member for the Iowa South Central Federation of Labor. He was in the Air Force for 20 years and served in Vietnam.

Midwest Rural Policy Advisor

Kevin Miskell

(announced Nov. 21, 2003) Previously worked in a similar capacity for the Graham campaign. Active farmer from Hamilton County; state board member of Iowa Farmers Union. Democratic nominee for State Senate against GOP Majority Leader Stuart Iverson in 2002.

Co-Chair

Rob Tully

(announced Jan. 29, 2003) Tully served as chair of the Iowa Democratic Party from 1999-2001 and was the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 2nd District in 1998. He practices law at the Des Moines firm Galligan, Tully, Doyle & Reid, P.C. He obtained his J.D. from Drake University in 1981.

Co-Chair

Roxanne Conlin

(announced Jan. 29, 2003) Among her many accomplishments, Conlin was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1982, and she served as first woman president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (1992-93). In 1995 she was elected to Inner Circle of Advocates, whose membership is limited to 100. Conlin has practiced law at her own firm in Des Moines, Roxanne Conlin & Associates, P.C., since 1991; "she exclusively represents people who have been harmed by others, whether by discrimination, products, doctors or vehicles." From 1983-1990 she was a principal at Galligan and Conlin, P.C. She ran for governor in 1982. Conlin served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa from 1977-81. She obtained her J.D. from Drake University Law School in 1966 at age 21.

And, by the time of the caucuses the campaign had local coordinators in all 99 counties: County Coordinators

-On January 19, 2004 the campaign announced the endorsement of the Iowa Bystander, the statewide African American newspaper.

-On January 16, 2004 State Rep. Wayne Ford (District 65-Des Moines) announced his endorsement of Sen. Edwards.

-On January 15, 2004 Des Moines City Council Member Chris Coleman announced his endorsement of Sen. Edwards. Coleman was elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2002; he serves as Mayor Pro-tem of Des Moines. He is also president of the Iowa Better Business Bureau. He previously was vice president of the United Way of Central Iowa.

-On January 12, 2004 the campaign announced the endorsement of State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald.

-On January 12, 2004 the campaign announced the endorsement of former Ames High School and Iowa State University basketball star Fred Hoiberg ("The Mayor"). Hoiberg is a forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

-On January 12, 2004 the campaign announced the endorsement of Linn County Democratic Party Chair Joel Miller.

-On January 11, 2004 the Des Moines Register endorsed Sen. Edwards.

-On January 8, 2004 the campaign announced the endorsements of Polk County Democratic activists Ed Skinner and Bill Wimmer, State Representative Geri Huser, Altoona School Board member Brad Skinner, Clay County Supervisor Sylvia Schoer, Osceola County Democratic Party chair Mike Earlle, and former Clay County Democratic Party chair Steve Bomgaars.

-On December 16, 2003 the campaign announced the endorsements of Patrick Harney, Chair of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, and Tom Kriz, Johnson County Treasurer.

-On December 12, 2003 the campaign announced the endorsement of Scott County Attorney Bill Davis.

-On December 10, 2003 the campaign announced that over 700 new supporters have endorsed Sen. Edwards following his 25-county “Working for All of Us” tour. Included are Iowa State Representative Dennis Cohoon; Scott County Attorney Bill Davis; Wayne County Supervisor Jerry Odell; Black Hawk County Democratic Party Treasurer Dave Odekirk; West Liberty City Councilman Chad Thomas; Marshalltown Teachers' Association President & Hart ’88 State Co-Chair Marylyn Dysart; Former Mayor of Columbus Junction Earlene Lekwa; Former Mayor of Oakville Benita Grooms; Story County Central Committee Member & Iowa State University professor Tom Beell; Story County Central Committee Member & Iowa State University professor Sande McNabb; Former Wayne County Democratic Party Chair Bill Gode; Former President of Graceland College Frank Hough; Chickasaw County Attorney Pat Wegman; Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair Janet Adams; and former Allamakee County Democratic Party Chair Brian Houlihan.

-On December 8, 2003 the campaign announced the endorsement of Rep. Dennis Cohoon (District 88, Burlington).

-On November 21, 2003 the campaign announced that over 170 rural activists have endorsed Edwards and formed "Rural Iowans for Edwards." Co-chairs are Sen. Keith Krieman, Rep. Kurt Swaim, Buchanan County farmer Richard Machacek and Carroll County farmer Mary Anne Reinhart.

-On November 3, 2003 the campaign announced the endorsement of Sen. Keith Kreiman (District 47, Bloomfield).

-On September 24, 2003 the campaign announced the endorsement of Rep. Kurt Swaim (District 94, Bloomfield).

-On September 24, 2003 the campaign announced the endorsement of Mike Hanna of Oskaloosa, former Mahaska County chair (1992-98) and a member of UFCW Local #230.

As of August 22 2003, some 210 Iowans had endorsed Sen. Edwards (over 30 announced on April 4, over 70 announced on May 29, and about 100 on August 22). The list includes former Iowa governor Robert Fulton, State Representative Ro Foege (District 29, Mt. Vernon), Polk County Sheriff Dennis Anderson, Bremer County Democratic Party Chair Peg Dunbar, Cherokee County Democratic chair Janet Melton, Humboldt County Democratic Party Chair Susan Marvin, and Wapello County Supervisor Mike Petersen.

More Iowa Supporters (August 22, 2003)

More Iowa Supporters (May 29, 2003)

Senator Edwards' Earliest Announced Iowa Supporters (April 4, 2003)